Favorable Response to Potočnik's Program
The Slovene candidate for the Commissioner responsible for Science and Research in the future Jose Manuel Barroso's European Commission, Janez Potočnik, has got a positive evaluation from all three of the largest political groups in the European Parliament, after being examined by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.
His appearance was assessed favorably by the largest of the parties, the European People's Party (EPP), as well by the Party of European Socialists (PES) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), which thus indicated that he may expect a positive recommendation.
Potočnik has set as his priorities 'science in the service of citizens, expansion, simplification, innovation and increase in research, and a better use of research potential'; he will build on the Lisbon Strategy in achieving these aims.
He also supports the idea of the founding of a European Science Council, which would ensure independence, excellence and competitiveness in the field of science-stimulated research on a European level. Potočnik plans to increase research potential by encouraging the participation of small and medium enterprises, enhancing the role of women in science, supporting young researchers and improving working conditions for researchers and research groups.
Among the dozens of questions he was asked, there were also some to which Potočnik was unable to give exhaustive answers; however, despite this, the representatives already expressed their satisfaction with the candidate's appearance at the time of the examination.
More articles from this issue:
Archive
|